The qualities we have, make us so ridiculous as those which we affect.

Penetration has an air of divination; it pleases our vanity more than any other quality of the mind.

When we enlarge upon the affection our friends have for us, this is very often not so much out of a sense of gratitude as from a desire to persuade people of our own great worth, that can deserve so much kindness.

It is the prerogative of great men only to have great defects.

To achieve greatness one should live as if they will never die.

Consolation for unhappiness can often be found in a certain satisfaction we get from looking unhappy.

Praise is flattery, artful, hidden, delicate, which gratifies differently him who praises and him who is praised. The one takes it as the reward of merit, the other bestows it to show his impartiality and knowledge.